The 2024 Domaine Adrien Besson Chablis 1er Cru Montmains is a beautiful, classically styled Chablis from a family domaine that has farmed the region since 1902. Besson owns a substantial 5.24-hectare parcel in Montmains, planted on limestone soils with a high proportion of clay, giving the wine mineral intensity and added depth through the mid-palate. The winemaking is very restrained, with slow, gentle pressing followed by fermentation primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with only around 8% of the wine seeing barrel, then 18 months of aging on the lees. The 2024 vintage was one of the smallest in recent Chablis history, but the wines have returned to a more classical profile, with excellent freshness, tension and mineral definition. Montmains is especially well suited to that style, and this 2024 shows white flowers, citrus and a distinctly saline, iodized mineral character, with enough texture to give the wine real presence without losing its precision. It is a lovely Premier Cru Chablis with both immediate appeal and the structure to develop nicely in the cellar, and one of the best buys in the category this vintage!
Decanter 96 DWWA Gold Medal "Pristine wet-stone aromas interlaced with plump yellow fruit and alluring citrus oil. Bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and an enjoyable green apple, lime residue."
2024 Domaine Adrien Besson Chablis 1er Cru Montmains
2024 Domaine Adrien Besson Chablis 1er Cru Montmains
The 2024 Domaine Adrien Besson Chablis 1er Cru Montmains is a beautiful, classically styled Chablis from a family domaine that has farmed the region since 1902. Besson owns a substantial 5.24-hectare parcel in Montmains, planted on limestone soils with a high proportion of clay, giving the wine mineral intensity and added depth through the mid-palate. The winemaking is very restrained, with slow, gentle pressing followed by fermentation primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with only around 8% of the wine seeing barrel, then 18 months of aging on the lees. The 2024 vintage was one of the smallest in recent Chablis history, but the wines have returned to a more classical profile, with excellent freshness, tension and mineral definition. Montmains is especially well suited to that style, and this 2024 shows white flowers, citrus and a distinctly saline, iodized mineral character, with enough texture to give the wine real presence without losing its precision. It is a lovely Premier Cru Chablis with both immediate appeal and the structure to develop nicely in the cellar, and one of the best buys in the category this vintage!
Decanter 96 DWWA Gold Medal "Pristine wet-stone aromas interlaced with plump yellow fruit and alluring citrus oil. Bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and an enjoyable green apple, lime residue."
